An animal feed manufacturing company has been fined over €110,000 after an employee’s fingers were severed by machinery at a Carlisle feed mill.
NWF Agriculture Ltd of Nantwich, Cheshire pleaded guilty to a breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 11(1).
The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs to the tune of £6,098.
Incident
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard how on February 11th 2019, a maintenance engineer was clearing rainwater in the pit when his gloved hand contacted the chain drive of a conveyor.
The chain dragged his fingers into the nip where the chain winds around a sprocket severing the ends of three fingers on his right hand.
The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation found that the company had failed to ensure the guard was on the chain drive.
The court heard it had not been in place for some months. The company missed a further opportunity to replace it following a breakdown repair, carried out on the conveyor five days prior to the incident.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matthew Tinsley, said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided had checks been carried out to ensure control measures were in place and safe working practices followed.”
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Employee’s arm severed by moving conveyor
Last year, a UK-based animal feed processing company was fined following an incident where part of an employee’s arm was severed by a moving conveyor.
Hi Peak Feeds Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The firm was handed a £140,000 (approximately €153,750) fine and ordered to pay costs of £2,591.30 (approximately €2,845.95).
A court heard how on December 9th, 2018, the employee had opened the inspection hatch on a closed conveyor to clear a blockage.
The conveyor started unexpectedly, severing the employee’s right arm below the elbow.
